Health: Health is a state of physical, psychosocial, emotional well being.
Mental and physical health: Mental health is your psychological, spiritual well being. Physical health looks at your outside appearance, your vitality, your strength…
Community resources: Health Canada (Federal Level) sets out guidelines for programs in the country. It provides printed and audio-visual material. Ministry of Health of Ontario (Provincial Level) is responsible for the health services within the province. Local Department of Health (Municipal) has programs that promotes (public) health and prevents diseases. Public health nurses, public health inspectors, dentists, doctors and epidemiologists deliver public health programs. Voluntary Health Organizations such as St. John Ambulance, Heart and Stroke, the Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society serve the public by providing health services to the community.
Immunization: Natural immunity is present in a newborn baby. Acquired immunity a) by having the disease, b) by exposure to the disease, c) by immunization (the body is stimulated to make antibodies)
Many injuries occur in the home. Nearly all of these injuries can be prevented by being aware of hazards and observing precautions. Most common home hazards are: a) falls, b) fires, burns, firearms, c) poisons
First Aid for poisoning:
Find out what was taken, how much, and how long ago
Look for clues such as containers that might identify the poison
Phone the Poison-Information Centre for advise and treatment
If poison is on skin: Flush area with lots of water, then wash with soap and water. And phone the Poison-Information Centre for advise and treatment.
If injected: ABCs! AR if needed! Phone the Poison-Information Centre (416) 813-5900 for advice and treatment.
Poisonous gases will affect breathing - move to fresh air, ABCs! AR if needed!
International Safety Symbols: Symbols for poison, explosive, flammable and corrosive. Octagon (stop sign shape) is danger. Diamond is warning. Upside-down triangle (yield sign shape) is caution
Extended Care Giving
6 ways to prevent infection:
Wash your hands
Wear gloves, mask, …
Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
Use your own utensils for eating/ drinking
Dirty should not be touched. Put in plastic/paper bag and fold to dispose -- wash hands immediately
Be sure to hold sheets away from you and your clothing. Don't shake bed linen sheets. Roll/ unfold to open. Wash hands when done
5 steps for hand-washing:
Look at your hands - cut or file nails, remove jewellery, check for breaks in skin or cuts.
Prepare paper towel. Turn on water and adjust flow. Hold hands lower that the elbows lower that the elbows so that water flows from arms to fingertips. Soap -- if liquid use quarter size (1 tsp) dollop. If bar soap -- rub bar firmly and rinse par to remove germs from soap.
Thoroughly wash: Use firm circular movements (start with hands then to elbows). Rinse by holding hands higher than elbows
Dry hands with paper towel
Use paper towel to turn off water
Medication administration: oral, eye, ear & nose
Oral:
Check person's ability to take medication - unconscious? Able to swallow? Nausea? Vomiting?
5 Rights (AMTPM)
Pour required number of tablets/ caplets into bottle cap. 5 Rights. Transfer into disposable cup.
Check person and review 5 Rights (for 3rd time). Take pulse, respiratory rate, BP if needed for med. *** Nitro-glycerine and some heart meds need pulse of over 60 beats/min.
Give person med, and record after person swallowed
Evaluate effects of med.
Eye Drops:
Check 5 Rights x 3
Prepare client by explaining technique of administration
Tilt head back
Assess eye. If dirty, clean with gauze from inner to outer canthus.
Ask client to look up. Pull lower lid, creating a small pocket
Instill required number of drops without touching eye in out 1/3 of eye.
Apply pressure with tissue to inner corner of eye for 30 seconds (while person has eyes closed)
Evaluate effects of med and record
Wait 5 minutes before next drop
Eye Ointment:
Check 5 Rights x 3
Warm tube
Discard 1st drop of ointment
Squeeze small amount 1/4-1/2" inside lower lid
Close eyes and roll eye ball (2 min)
Wait 10 min before any other ointment
Don't touch tip/cap with fingers/eye
Ear:
Check 5 Rights x 3
Prepare client by side lying position or tilt head.
Assess ear
Clean ear if dirty
Warm medication
Straighten ear canal a) For child: Pull ear down, b) For adult: Pull ear up and back.
Instill correct number of drops along side of ear canal
Press on tragus of ear
Remain on side for 5 min
Place cotton in for 15-20 minutes
Assess response and record
Nose: Check 5 Rights x 3
Clear nasal passages of secretions ie. ask person to blow nose